Iconic pop star Madonna is facing legal trouble after a group of disgruntled fans filed a lawsuit alleging she and her promoters are guilty of breach of contract, false advertising, and violating New York’s consumer protection law. The lawsuit stems from a December Brooklyn concert that started over 2 hours later than the scheduled 8:30 pm time printed on tickets.
Lawsuit Allegations
According to the class action lawsuit filed January 18th in a New York federal court, Madonna and concert promoter Live Nation falsely advertised start times for her December 13th and 14th shows at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center stops on her global Celebration Tour. The plaintiffs allege breach of contract for the late start, saying Madonna’s actions “deprived concertgoers of the value of their tickets” and “wasted their time before the concert actually began.”
While the iconic singer is known for having a flair for the dramatic and being occasionally late, fans say starting her concert 128 minutes behind schedule was unacceptable. Plaintiff Nate Holland told NBC News:
“By the time the concert finally began, it was nearly 11:30 pm. I ended up leaving the concert early because I had to get up for work in the morning. Had I known the concert was going to start so late, I would have never spent the money to attend.”
The plaintiffs argue that by advertising an 8:30 pm start time and failing to deliver, Madonna and promoters unfairly profited at their expense in violation of New York consumer protection law. The suit seeks unspecified compensatory damages on behalf of ticketholders, including refunds for those unable to stay for the full show due to the late start.
Madonna’s publicist declined to comment on pending litigation. Live Nation has not responded to media inquiries.
Madonna’s History of Late Starts
While surprising to some fans, Madonna starting concerts hours behind schedule is nothing new. Since launching her Celebration Tour last July, a number of shows have faced serious delays:
- Boston, MA – August 23rd – Delayed 85 minutes
- Chicago, IL – August 27th – Delayed 70 minutes
- San Francisco, CA – October 7th – Delayed 45 minutes
- Las Vegas, NV – October 8th – Delayed 80 minutes
Madonna addressed criticism of her late starts in an October Instagram post, saying unforeseen circumstances were to blame:
“As the Lady Gaga song goes, ‘I was born this way’. It’s not my fault that some seem to plan their day around my show and then get mad if I don’t start exactly when they THINK I should. People who complain should know that a Queen is NEVER late.”
While Madonna refused to apologize, Billboard notes her position was ironic given her notorious reputation for leaving fans waiting:
“Though Madonna claimed that she’s ‘never late,’ her concerts starting behind schedule has been an ongoing issue, with some shows on her Rebel Heart tour beginning two hours past its scheduled time.”
| Tour | Year | Example Delay |
|---|---|---|
| MDNA Tour | 2012 |
|
| Rebel Heart Tour | 2015 |
|
| Madame X Tour | 2019 |
|
| Celebration Tour | 2023 |
|
Table showing a pattern of Madonna tour concert delays since 2012
Madonna is also no stranger to legal troubles. Over her 40+ year career she’s been sued for various issues like copyright infringement, invading privacy, and even promoting homosexuality.
What’s Next For Madonna
While some fans speculate whether Madonna’s unapologetic attitude means more legal battles ahead, industry experts say the pop icon will likely settle the case quietly. Celebrity lawyer Mitra Ahouraian explained to Page Six:
“Madonna’s best bet is to settle this quickly and quietly…Admitting guilt would be disastrous to her brand. But a quiet settlement absolves legal blame while compensating the fans.”
Music executive Clive Davis agreed, telling Billboard:
“Sure, Madonna could fight this tooth and nail out of principle and not wanting to create a precedent of fan refunds. But at the end of the day, is it worth the awful publicity over a few hundred thousand in legal fees and settlements?”
While Madonna faces legal issues, her Celebration Tour continues breaking records in ticket sales and commercial success. The tour is slated to run through September, culminating in a final Brooklyn concert. Given Madonna’s prowess as a live performer and trailblazing career, most experts say this public relations issue is unlikely to severely impact her long-term popularity and acclaim.
Madonna’s publicist had no comment on the likelihood of a settlement or whether Madonna would change policies regarding concert start times. For now, fans awaiting her tour should brace themselves for a dramatic evening, whenever the Queen of Pop decides to take the stage.
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